More than 1 million people attended the 17-day run of the Washington State Fair, Sept. 11 to 27.

Exhibits like Star Trek: The Exhibition, Beer Haven,  and Northwest Woodworkers were highlights of the season, as was the addition of the fair icon, Big Washington, a friendly Big-foot creature.

This year marks an end to an era of the 17-day fair. Starting in 2016, the Washington State Fair will operate over four weekends, starting on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The dates are Sept. 2 through 25, with the Fair closed on Tuesdays.

The Washington State Fair started in 1900. Over the years, the days the fair has operated have changed, based on consumer trends. When the fair started in 1900 it was a three-day event. In 1941 it was held seven days, changing to nine days the next year. In 1978 the fair increased days due to popularity, becoming a 17-day event.

The fair is the only agricultural fair in the state not supported by taxes. Entirely self-funded, the fair generates significant economic activity.

The Washington State Fair is one of the biggest fairs in the world, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It started in 1900 in Puyallup, and welcomes over one million guests to the single largest attended event in the state. Star-studded entertainment, the PRCA rodeo, rides, exhibits, food, flowers and animals are mainstays of the event.

For more about the Washington State Fair, visit www.thefair.com.

Local winners of fair events included:

Home Arts Textiles

Ilze Tomsevics of Fall City, second place in Use of Fleece or Felted Wool

Lace/Open Work

Helen Bell, Duvall, first place in All-Lace Projects, Small

Helen Bell, Duvall, first place, Grand Champion and Best in Category, in All-Lace Projects, Large

Richard Buchmiller, North Bend, first place and Reserve Champion in Counted Thread

Floral Show

Patricia Schlegelmilch, North Bend, third place in Pink and Pink Blends – Hybrid Tea Roses

Patricia Schlegelmilch, North Bend, first place in Floribundas, Other Roses

Patricia Schlegelmilch, North Bend, second place in Shrub Other

Agriculture/Horticulture

Jacobbi Meneses, North Bend, first place in Watermelon

Willis Jesiah, North Bend, second place in Watermelon

Dairy Cattle National Guernsey Show

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, first and second place in Winter Heifer Calf

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, second place in Summer Yearling Heifer

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, second place in Winter Heifer Calf

National Brown Swiss Show

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, fourth place in Spring Heifer Calf

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, seventh place in Winter Heifer Calf

Rick Heslinga, Lowlands Dairy, Duvall, fifth place in Fall Heifer Calf.